<<
Actually, what they put up in the OGL is *very* restrictive compared to
what you could essentially do by completely ignoring the OGL and being
mindful of current copyright and trademark laws. Further, it is
ludicrously restrictive compared to what you could do using the "online
use policy".
>>
Actually I'd disagree, but I couldn't convince you when I can't even put
in words why I think so ;-)
Also, it's 3am in the morning, and I think I should go to sleep... yeah
that accursed thing that gets in the way of work ;-)
<<
If you never intend to sell, then the "online use policy" is DEFINITELY
the way to go - for six different good reason, with (still) NO reason
against.
>>
I never intend to sell anything I create, but I feel more comfortable
putting it under the OGL, than relying on the online use policy.
<<
You are the third poster who has referred to these benefits without
specifically listing any. I'm still waiting for an example.
>>
Many of my reasons are incomplete thoughts why the OGL is better than
the OUP, and I'd have to spend time I don't have to try to put together
coherrant thoughts. All I care for is to get an approved version of the
OGL (and d20stl would be good as well), so that I can put up some
materials under the OGL on my website.
<<
It would be very difficult, damaging, and destructive to both their
public image and their customer base for WotC to rescind the "online use
policy". Even so, you can use it now, and it is enormously more
flexible and forgiving than the OGL, PLUS you don't get exposed to any
risk.
>>
You said the risk is in the OGL, but the fact that the Online policy
could change at any time to disallow any fan use (I agree it wouldn't be
in WotC best interest, but it could happen), is a risk to anyone who
uses the online policy. With the OGL you don't have that risk that it
could be here today gone tommorrow. I will disagree that the OGL is not
as flexible as the online use policy. As a note, I have read the
policy, but it's been awhile.
<<
So use the online policy until (unless) WotC rescinds it, then (if you
feel you must) convert to OGL.
>>
The problem is when you start building up a large collection of
material. For instance, if you were to start a world building project,
it would be better to implement the OGL as soon as possible, so that you
spend less time going through all your current material attempting to
convert it. If you wait until you have a wealth of knowledge on the
particular project, then convert, you'll be worse off simply because you
have to go through all the material you have, rather than using it from
the beginning.
<<
And how does that differ one iota from your suggestion - except that you
are suggesting you make the change right now?
>>
If you have to go through all the material and adjust things, there is a
benefit to changing sooner than later. Say for instance you have ten
pages of material at point A in the timeline. At point B (which might
be a couple months later) you have 35 pages of material. At point C you
have 70 pages of material. If you were to wait until point C to
convert, you have to go through 70 pages of material looking to correct
all violations. If you were to convert at point A, you have only 10
pages. Say right now we're at point A. In January is point B, and then
this time next year is point C. I hear that the online policy will be
changing, and be replaced with this new cool OGL in one years time,
giving a year notice so that people can start to make changes without it
coming down suddenly. Since I only have 10 pages of material, I figure
it shouldn't be hard to convert everything later on. I get to point B,
and have more material, but it isn't all that much (after all, alot of
modules that I've seen range around 32 pages, and I have found it
doesn't take alot of time to do the basic conversions of modules about
this size), so I don't think too much about it.
Later on, I get to point C. The OGL deadline is coming around (say
within the next month), and I haven't bothered to convert yet. The fact
that I have more material now than when I did means I now have more work
ahead of me if I had originally converted, and then used the OGL a year
ago with the 60 new pages of material.
Okay, I've been rambling, and I hope that it can be understood.
<<
There is functionally no risk in that scenario, because the cost of
changing over to OGL will not measurably increase for the person who
continues to ignore the OGL and develops using the online use policy.
The cost and hassle is significant, but it will be the same either way.
>>
If you have a stagnant project where no new material is created, it will
*obviously* be the same cost and hassle, but I disagree so much that it
will be the same if you've added to the amonut of material originally
available by atlesat 10 fold.
I'd say, you've not been involved in this kind of project. That's my
observation on your comments. Sure the cost may not be many thousands
of dollars, and hundreds of man-hours, but it would be significant
depending on how much is added to the project at both time frames.
<<
But we are not talking about you, are we? There are PLENTY of fan sites
on the FR.
>>
It was a side-tracked comment showing my dislike of FR. Nothing more
nothing less.
My point still stands that if you want to develop in FR, then you should
be working for WotC, otherwise deal with it.
For the most part, I haven't seen many good fansites that would be
worthwhile except for the sites that have semi-official status. Notably
http://www.kargatane.com and http://www.birthright.net for Ravenloft and
Birthright respectively. I'm not much interested in the other campaign
settings so I don't know about their sites. Of course, this is all IMO,
and you're free to disagree.
<<
Again, we are not talking about you. There are PLENTY of fan sites
based in all these places.
>>
Wow, I never thought we were talking about me. I was expressing my
opinion, like everyone is allowed to, and it just so happens that I
disagree with you.
<<
A preference is a preference, and doesn't necessarily have to be based
on logic. If you want to accept monetary risk, lack of flexibility, and
lack of access to the most valuable trademarks in the industry IN
EXCANGE for ...
>>
I'll just say I disagree, and leave it at that. IMO, you haven't shown
how your side has any more logic to it.
Yeah, I know you'll probably disagree with my opinion, but that's
exactly what it is.
--
Korath
http://www.korath.com
"He was already dead, he died a year ago, the moment he touched her.
They're all dead, they just don't know it." --Eric Draven, The Crow
-------------
For more information, please link to www.opengamingfoundation.org
